Apple Watch and WiFi

[southflguy]

There's some conflicting info on this.. not according to Apple's press release: "

"Apple Watch also features Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 4.0 to pair seamlessly with your iPhone."

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/201...e-Watch-Apples-Most-Personal-Device-Ever.html

The broadcom chip inside is capable of wireless N but some review sites are saying it's not active.

802.11b/g/n are all fine. The Watch can't use AC/5ghz.

 

[Cory Bauer]

Yep, that's a bug. Sometimes you have to make the iPhone un-remember the network and re-add it.

Also, you can't have your 5GHz and 2.4GHz networks named the same SSID, this can confuse apple watch (and the profile on the iPhone could be the 5GHz one that the watch can't connect to).

The iPhone is most likely grabbing a 5Ghz signal on both networks, although I'm not sure then why the "forget this network" trick works for getting the Watch on the Wifi for the day.

It's really disappointing that Apple Watch doesn't support 5Ghz after Apple's been selling us 5Ghz routers for years, but as a workaround you'd think they could have programmed iOS 8.3 on the iPhone to always settle for a 2.4Ghz network if it's paired with a Watch.

 

[Gav2k]

There's some conflicting info on this.. not according to Apple's press release: "

"Apple Watch also features Wi-Fi 802.11b/g and Bluetooth 4.0 to pair seamlessly with your iPhone."

http://www.apple.com/pr/library/201...e-Watch-Apples-Most-Personal-Device-Ever.html

The broadcom chip inside is capable of wireless N but some review sites are saying it's not active.

From apples site

 

[Gav2k]

The iPhone is most likely grabbing a 5Ghz signal on both networks, although I'm not sure then why the "forget this network" trick works for getting the Watch on the Wifi for the day.

It's really disappointing that Apple Watch doesn't support 5Ghz after Apple's been selling us 5Ghz routers for years, but as a workaround you'd think they could have programmed iOS 8.3 on the iPhone to always settle for a 2.4Ghz network if it's paired with a Watch.

They chose 2.4ghz for its range over 5ghz which isn't much better than Bluetooth 4.0

 

[philbo7]

Right, the apps that don't need the phone (they use the watch's own wifi stack), but then turn the iPhone back on, where it isn't in bluetooth range and see if you can receive a phone call on the watch.

At least, the testing we did previously suggested this.

This is a big deal for me. I was under the mistaken assumption that I could leave the iPhone anywhere in my house (with wi-fi connection) and receive a phone call on my watch elsewhere in the house.

With the way it actually works, I can't understand why anyone would want to be outside of bluetooth range. You would miss the phone call on the watch and maybe be too far away to get to your iPhone on time to pick up. If you want to minimize missed calls you need to have it right beside you (within, what, 10 feet or so) or have it in your pocket.

On a side note, there are times when the iPhone is locked and connected to the watch, and the phone is right next to me, but the green button on the watch incoming call screen is non-responsive (have to answer on the iPhone). There are other times where I actually can answer a phone call on the watch. Not sure why that is inconsistent.

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oh i understand what you're saying now. So i can make and receive calls and get notifications on my watch when i'm out of BT range, providing i don't disconnect from wifi. Once that connection is lost, only messages, siri, and mail will work?

That's what I thought until I talked to Apple Care Plus rep. He pointed me to the user guide, page 19, which states:

If your Apple Watch and iPhone are on the same network but aren’t connected by Bluetooth, you can also do the following on Apple Watch without iPhone:
• Send and receive messages using iMessage
• Send and receive Digital Touch messages
• Use Siri

Reading this I don't think you can receive a call on your watch outside of bluetooth range. Am I (and the rep) mistaken on this?

 

[fischersd]

This is a big deal for me. I was under the mistaken assumption that I could leave the iPhone anywhere in my house (with wi-fi connection) and receive a phone call on my watch elsewhere in the house.

With the way it actually works, I can't understand why anyone would want to be outside of bluetooth range. You would miss the phone call on the watch and maybe be too far away to get to your iPhone on time to pick up. If you want to minimize missed calls you need to have it right beside you (within, what, 10 feet or so) or have it in your pocket.

On a side note, there are times when the iPhone is locked and connected to the watch, and the phone is right next to me, but the green button on the watch incoming call screen is non-responsive (have to answer on the iPhone). There are other times where I actually can answer a phone call on the watch. Not sure why that is inconsistent.

Sorry, no, you're still not understanding it. You would need to lose ALL connectivity between the watch and iPhone to lose that secure session. Meaning the iPhone is out of coverage - no wifi, no bluetooth. When that happens, the watch will still native apps over wifi, but no calling.

You can leave your iPhone wherever you like in the house and get calls - just don't turn it off and expect it to work.

 

[philbo7]

Sorry, no, you're still not understanding it. You would need to lose ALL connectivity between the watch and iPhone to lose that secure session. Meaning the iPhone is out of coverage - no wifi, no bluetooth. When that happens, the watch will still native apps over wifi, but no calling.

You can leave your iPhone wherever you like in the house and get calls - just don't turn it off and expect it to work.

That's definitely good news! I'll have to do some testing with family and friends to confirm.

Regarding my phone issue, I had an incoming call with phone in pocket and the first two taps on the watch's green button was unresponsive but the third one answered the call. Wondering if this is a "bluetooth" delay issue or something else...